Doris’s actions and adventures as a black woman in the 1960s are poignant and thought-provoking. In another time, in another place, seeing people who seem to gave a good grasp on life, what would YOU do?Amazing read.

This is, genuinely, one of the best books I have ever read.

I don’t normally read historical fiction and I’ve been in an awful reading slump, so I went into this one not really sure what to expect. But this book had me hanging on its every word from the first page. I could not stop reading, could not stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I haven’t felt this hooked by a book in ages.

I’m absolutely captivated by the character Doris and her incredibly funny and poignant narration throughout the story. Her voice is unique and filled with so much heart and warmth and humor, I feel like I know her.

The other characters in this book were also all so well written and enjoyable. They all felt so real and that was the beauty of it.

This book covers so many important and relevant topics in today’s world, and it handles them all beautifully, all while being funny and entertaining and completely charming along the way.

I don’t often say this, but I think everyone should read this book. It has something to teach literally everyone, and it’ll make you laugh and cry and smile and think about life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’m honored to have read it early. Now I just can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands when the book releases.

This is such a lovely book that I'm still crying a little as I finish it. Doris is seventeen and pregnant in the 60's at the height of racial tension in the South. So when she decides to have an abortion things become difficult as she meets Dexter and goes to a sit-in with him, not knowing what to expect or why. There she meets the famed Dr. King and so many emotions swirl through her head as she realizes she's been living in a bubble of sorts. It's a beautiful tribute to the tumultuous times our nation lived through as we continue to fight racism everywhere.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

What a phenomenal coming-of-age novel. Mia Mckenzie has crafted an excellent portrait of the 1960s South and what it means to step outside of your sheltered upbringing. Our protagonist, Doris, has spent her entire young life as an extremely devout Christian and has never really questioned her place in the world. Despite being an extremely intelligent girl with a passion for learning, she didn't hesitate to drop out of school and care for her family as it was the Christian thing to do.

But when she finds herself in a situation that could lead to great shame for herself and her family, she embarks on a journey that opens her eyes to the world and opportunities she had never considered. Along the way, we are introduced to a cast of characters that will bring you joy, and sorrow, and fully move you.

This novel made me laugh, made me cry, and made me question my own place in this world. Considering the administration we in the US are currently living through, this book could not be more timely- or important.

5 Stars – A Powerful, Eye-Opening, and Necessary Read

Mia McKenzie’s These Heathens is not just a novel—it’s a revelation. Doris Steele’s journey is gripping and deeply emotional, set against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights movement. The book doesn’t just explore race; it dives into the complexities of being Black and queer in an era that tried to erase those identities. It also sheds light on abortion rights before Roe v. Wade and the impossible choices women had to make. McKenzie’s writing is stunning, and the themes of freedom, identity, and the power of choice hit hard. This book made me realize things I had never fully considered before, and it will stay with me for a long time. If you want historical fiction that challenges, educates, and captivates, These Heathens is a must-read.

WOW! What a powerful book. I love when historical fiction writers can find a totally unique and special point of view to write from, and this author definitely did just that. This book addresses tough topics like abortion and civil rights, but remains respectful and bipartisan. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Was super interested in this book the second I read the description and WOW it did not disappoint!! Turned such serious themes into a very fun and beautifully written book.

Doris, a smart Georgia teen's life trajectory first changes when her mother takes ill, and she has to drop out of school to take care of her family. Then it changes again when, at 17, she finds herself in the family way. Despite her religious piety and general obedience, Doris does not wish to remain pregnant. She reaches out to her beloved former English teacher, Mrs. Lucas, who, it turns out, has secrets of her own. Mrs. Lucas endeavors to help Doris get an abortion by taking her to Atlanta and the home of an old friend who gives them a place to stay and offers to pay for the abortion.

We meet historical figures like Coretta and Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, and SNCC organizers. It's a compelling story, and reads a little like a play.

These Heathens had me laughing, highlighting every other page, and by the last chapter—wiping tears from my face.

This book flows. The writing is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly character-driven. We follow Doris, a 17-year-old girl trying to get an abortion in 1960 Georgia, as she lands in Atlanta and gets swept up in a weekend that changes everything. What starts as a desperate attempt to make a private choice turns into an eye-opening journey through the civil rights movement, radical politics, queer Black life, and the weight of unlearning everything you’ve been taught.

I did not expect this book to be as funny as it was. The way McKenzie balances deeply serious themes—race, gender, sexuality, religion, activism—with humor and razor-sharp wit is pure artistry. The historical backdrop isn’t just scenery; it’s alive and woven seamlessly into Doris’s story. Nothing feels forced, yet every moment is deliberate.

Yes, there are some loose ends, but that’s the beauty of a character-driven novel—this is about Doris becoming, not wrapping things up neatly. My only regret? I devoured it too fast.

And the writing? Unbelievable. One of my favorite lines:

“Most colored girls have more voices telling them what they can’t do than what they can. A lot of those voices speak in the name of love or what they believe is love. And maybe it is love. But there is a whole heap of fear piled up on top of it, too.”

How have I never read Mia McKenzie’s work before? I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of These Heathens from Random House, and trust me—you don’t want to miss this one. Expected to drop in June 2025, this is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction that moves you, that makes you feel. If you love books about self-discovery, about Black women finding their voices, about the power of stepping outside your bubble—These Heathens is for you.

Don’t just add it to your TBR. Preorder it. Now.

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend this book. It is very creative and important and at times fun and funny. The books first person narrative is terrific - what a character. All of the characters are complex. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for fair and honest review.

I have to say I went into this book thinking it would be depressing because of the subject matter, but honestly I loved this book. Maybe because I too grew up in south Georgia, albeit in the 80s not the 60s, but so much still rings true today. I loved the local vernacular and flavor. Doris's friendship with her teacher was a great relationship that gave her the opportunity to learn more about the world. The weaving in of historical characters was interesting as well. Each character added more to the story and I think the ending was realistic. I would recommend this story and I hope to read more from this author.

Powerful, tender, and profoundly moving, this novel captures a pivotal moment in one young woman’s life — and a transformative weekend that opens her eyes to a world far bigger, bolder, and freer than the one she’s always known. Set in 1960 Georgia, the story follows seventeen-year-old Doris Steele, a small-town girl who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and desperate to end it — a near-impossible task when your town’s midwife prays beside your mother every Sunday. With the help of her progressive teacher, Mrs. Lucas, Doris travels to Atlanta, where she is thrown into a world she never imagined — one filled with civil rights activists, queer joy, intellectuals, and the audaciously glamorous Sylvia, Mrs. Lucas’s wealthy and brash childhood friend.

Doris’s desperation is palpable, and her fear of being found out — by her parents, community, and church — weighs heavily on her. Yet once she arrives in Atlanta, the novel takes an unexpected and gratifying turn. Instead of centering entirely on the procedure, the story becomes about something much more significant: self-discovery, freedom, and the realization that there are entire worlds beyond the one you were born into.

The cast of characters Doris encounters in Atlanta is nothing short of brilliant. There are glamorous Black celebrities she’s only ever seen in Jet and Ebony, fierce civil rights leaders like Diane Nash and Coretta Scott King, women who love women without shame, and men who flaunt their charm with reckless confidence. Each encounter cracks open a new layer of Doris’s perspective, forcing her to confront what she doesn’t want (a baby) and what she might want — freedom, independence, and a life less ordinary. Doris’s shock, curiosity, and quiet longing are captured with aching authenticity, making readers root for her from beginning to end.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This is honestly one of my favorite books now. It was such a different perspective from anything I’ve ever read from the time period it was set in. It was absolutely eye-opening and attention-catching. I managed to become absolutely hooked on Doris Steele’s life and her voice. Even in the middle of a months’ long reading slump, I kept getting drawn back in.

I would absolutely recommend that anyone and everyone read this book. Thank you so, so much to Mia McKenzie for writing this!!

Is it premature to say I already have a favorite book of the year?

Well, I absolutely loved this. Doris is a witty, engaging narrator and her hilarious inner monologue hooked me from the very beginning. Over the course of a weekend, her conservative worldview expands as she meets new people, including a cast of affluent black lesbians, musicians, feminists, and influential Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. Side characters like Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Broussard offer multifaceted perspectives on topics including women's rights, religion, and sexuality. The tone of the story is open and conversational, making it feel more like an actual memoir than a work of fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read These Heathens by Mia McKenzie. Georgia in the.late 60s. A time and place I know a lot about. But not like Doris. Doris is a woman I would have loved knowing in Atlanta back in the 60s. Or today. Spending time with her and her life changing short time in Atlanta has been wonderful, and meaningful, heartbreaking and hilarious. With Doris we experience Atlanta through the lives of the Black community through Doris' eyes - some wealthy, some famous, some queer, some working hard for civil rights, all while Doris is just trying to figure her own self out. I have loved every minute, and every word of this book.

A young black woman in rural Georgia in 1960 finds herself in need of an abortion. Taken to Atlanta by a trusted teacher, she finds herself smack in the middle of the civil rights movement. I loved this book; the protagonist is well fleshed out, and while she can’t fully control her circumstances, she has great agency. It’s rather sex-positive—the author doesn’t dwell on the how of the pregnancy—and the queer content comes from an unexpected place. It’s not the protagonist but the environment she is a part of in Atlanta. No spoilers! But it’s great. CW: references to rape, racism.

In 1960’s Georgia., 17 year old Doris Steele discovers she is pregnant and needs an abortion. With the help of her high school teacher Ms. Lucas, she leaves for Atlanta. Over the weekend, Doris is swept up into a world inhabited by queer women, atheists, and civil rights activists. We are introduced to funny, interesting characters who challenge Doris to imagine new possibilities for herself.
This novel was well-written, funny, charming, and emotional. I really enjoyed the historical beats and multifaceted queer representation. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in feminism, civil rights, Black history, and queer relationships.

“Being a colored woman, it’s easy to think we don’t have many choices, and that’s a fact a lot of the time. Too much of the time. But there are so many things we can choose. Maybe they seem like small things and maybe they are. But they add up. If you’re lucky, they add up to a life.”

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie is a textured, funny, and moving novel set in Atlanta during the Civil Rights Movement. The novel follows Doris Steele, a sheltered 17 year old from small-town Georgia who travels to Atlanta to get an abortion.

There are SO many things that I loved about These Heathens, but one of the two things I loved the most about it is how many different characters and perspectives we’re introduced to throughout the novel. This novel and its characters discuss topics ranging from sexuality to integration, and each character was well fleshed out and brought a strong and unique point of view to the novel. We get such a great understanding of each characters perspectives and values, which gives us a multifaceted view of Black Atlantans during the Civil Rights Movement.

This tied in perfectly with my other favorite thing about this novel- it’s an incredibly strong coming of age story. Throughout the novel we get to experience Doris’s inner monologue as she’s introduced to the aforementioned “heathens” of Atlanta. Doris is a sharp, witty, and hilarious narrator who I was endeared by from the first page. Her emotional arc was so captivating and gripping, and it was incredibly moving to watch her journey throughout the novel. By the end of the novel, I was laughing and crying along with Doris as if she was a friend.

These Heathens is captivating, moving, and incredibly hard to put down. It’s the kind of novel where after reading it, I found myself bursting with energy, inspired to make my way through Mia McKenzie’s other novels, and eager to discuss it at length with anyone who will listen. For this reason, I think this would be a great read for book clubs, high school English or history classes, or for anybody who’s craving an engaging read. Personally, I haven’t been able to stop talking about this novel- June 17th can’t come soon enough!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!

Oh boy! What a treat! My favorite part of this book was right at the beginning. The narrator lets you know right away what this book ISNT about. She going through this journey and it’s hers. Not about the who or why she ended up pregnant. This is her story. No one else’s. It was a quick read and I finished it in less than 24 hours.