Almost Happy

Mixing intrigue with harsh realities, author Terry McMillan returns with some of her most memorable characters in this sequel to “Waiting to Exhale.” Fast forward fifteen years and readers find Bernadine, Gloria, Robin and Savannah are not living happily ever after. They may have exhaled, but now find themselves trying to get to happy. Issues with men, children, addiction, money, and loss plague this foursome.

While I enjoyed revisiting the ladies and catching up with what’s been going on in their lives, I really don’t feel a sequel was necessary. Well enough was sufficient. Curiosity more than anything is what lead me to pick this book up and it’s what pushed me to finish. I found it overall to be slow, dry and uneventful. Suffice it to say, it’s Terry McMillan, a great storyteller, we’re talking about so “Getting to Happy” does have its moments, though not many. I don’t want to use the word “dark” because I think that it’s too hard but it’s as if the author was coming from a “dark” or not too happy place when penning this novel and it bled through the story. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t looking for some over the top action or nothing but roses, but…give me something!

“Getting to Happy” never reaches the charm of its predecessor and disappointed this reader, but I’m sure it will be enjoyed by many nonetheless.

OOSA BOTM (September)