Synopses & Reviews
Gold Pen Award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley returns to the Houston congregation of her #1 Essence magazine bestseller, Let the Church Say Amen, in this warm and powerful sequel.
When her husband hears God's call to become a preacher, Rachel Jackson Adams is distressed -- she grew up a preacher's daughter, and knows how difficult life under the microscope can be for a reverend's family. But hot-headed Rachel has toned down her wild ways, and for the sake of her marriage and her two children, she is now the reluctant first lady of Zion Hill, unafraid to rock the boat with her unconventional ideas for revitalizing the church. When her son, Jordan, begins fighting at school, Rachel turns to the boy's father, Bobby -- Rachel's first love from years ago. Married now himself, there should be nothing between them except their concern for Jordan -- so why does seeing Bobby again feel so distractingly tempting? With her brothers facing dramas of their own, and her father, Reverend Simon Jackson, recovering from illness, Rachel must listen carefully to discover what God truly wants for her -- and to decide if Bobby is the lover of her dreams or the devil in disguise
About the Author
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is the #1 national bestselling author of numerous novels for adults, as well as the Good Girlz teen series. She has won many awards for her journalism and fiction, including the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association, the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author for her first novel, My Brother’s Keeper, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Fiction for Say Amen, Again. Her short fiction appears in the story anthology Have a Little Faith. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Help! I’ve Turned Into My Mother. ReShonda welcomes readers to her websites at ReShondaTateBillingsley.com.
Reading Group Guide
In this sequel to
Let the Church Say Amen, the lovable yet troubled Jackson family is eight years older but hasn't lost its penchant for drama. Oldest son David is off drugs and trying to pull his life together, but a visit from his ex-girlfriend brings shocking news that will change his life forever. Younger brother Jonathan is locked in a heated custody battle with his ex-wife, who is still struggling to come to terms with Jonathan's sexuality. Family patriarch Simon, now retired and still shaken by his wife's passing, slowly wades into the dating pool. At the center of the novel is tempestuous daughter Rachel Jackson, who has (mostly) tamed her wild ways and settled into marriage with the newly appointed reverend of Zion Hill, Lester Adams. Although Rachel is a reluctant first lady, she plunges into her job with aplomb, debating with self-righteous church elders and forming a group for troubled teenagers. But when her first love Bobby confesses a surprising secret, Rachel's commitments to her family and her church are severely threatened.
Questions for Discussion
1. We learn at the beginning of the novel that Rachel has changed a great deal over the last few years. Her mantra is, "You are a strong, mature woman who has left those childish ways behind you. Whatever you do, do not act a fool." How do the events of her past continue to affect her life? How do our past experiences continue to shape us, even if we try to forget them?
2. It is apparent that throughout the course of the novel Jordan has behavioral problems. Why might Jordan have been acting out? How are the children in this novel affected by the actions of their parents and other family members?
3. Did you think Angela's family's reaction to Jonathan's homosexuality was realistic? How do you think you or others you know would react in Angela's situation?
4. Simon tells Rachel, "You don't treat that man like you should...I know you didn't agree with your mother's philosophy that the man should be in charge of the household, but can you at least make him feel like he is?" Do you agree with Simon? In your experience, what is most important in making a relationship work?
5. Discuss Rachel. Did you sympathize with her? If you read the first book about the Jackson family, Let the Church Say Amen, do you feel differently about her after reading Everybody Say Amen?
6. What did you think of Bobby? Could you understand his behavior? Do you think he should have forgiven Rachel when he first learned of her affair? Do you think he wronged Shante?
7. Rachel admits that in the past she attempted to physically harm Shante and stop her marriage, and Bobby admits that he never loved Shante as much as he loved Rachel. What did you think about Shante's decision to set Lester up? Could you understand her point of view?
8. Near the end of the novel Twyla tells Rachel, "They say you reap what you sow. Maybe it just took yours a little while to come back to you." Where else does this theme appear in the novel? Do you believe this is true?
9. Did you agree with Rachel's choice to return to Lester? Do you think she was able to genuinely forgive him? If not, do you think she should have given in to her feelings for Bobby?
10. What do you think about the end of the book? Does it change your opinion of the choice Rachel made to return to Lester? Do you think Mary was telling the truth? What do you think will happen next?
11. How is forgiveness an important theme in this novel? Consider the relationships between Tawny and David, Angela and Jonathan, and Rachel and Bobby.
12. Could you relate to any character more than the others? Did you feel that any character was the novel's moral center?