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Can I Get an Amen?
When the last thing you want is the one thing you need, you've got to have a little faith....
Growing up, Ellen Carlisle was a She went to Jesus camp, downed stale Nilla Wafers at Sunday school, and never, ever played with Ouija boards. Now, years later, when infertility prevents her from giving her ambitious attorney husband a family, she finds herself on the brink of divorce, unemployed, and living with her right-wing, born-again Christian parents in her suburban New Jersey hometown. There the schools are private, the past is public, and blessings come in lump sums. Then Ellen meets a man to whom she believes she can open her heart, and she begins to think that maybe it’s true that everything happens for a reason—until all that was going well starts going very badly and Ellen is finally forced to dig deep to find her own brand of faith.
Growing up, Ellen Carlisle was a She went to Jesus camp, downed stale Nilla Wafers at Sunday school, and never, ever played with Ouija boards. Now, years later, when infertility prevents her from giving her ambitious attorney husband a family, she finds herself on the brink of divorce, unemployed, and living with her right-wing, born-again Christian parents in her suburban New Jersey hometown. There the schools are private, the past is public, and blessings come in lump sums. Then Ellen meets a man to whom she believes she can open her heart, and she begins to think that maybe it’s true that everything happens for a reason—until all that was going well starts going very badly and Ellen is finally forced to dig deep to find her own brand of faith.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2012
22 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
May 24, 2012
OK. I wasn't sure about the title or the cover - but now that I've read the book I get it. It's pretty smart, pretty funny, definitely quirky, and I liked the characters and the plot enough that it made me stay up WAY too late. My kids were late for school because I overslept, and then even later because I was reading it at every red light!
I actually didn't want to like this book because I have a little bias against reading books that deal with religion. But a friend whose reading tastes I respect had reccomended it, so I gave it a go. It really deals with morality and spirituality, rather than religion, per se. When "church style religion" actually shows up in the book, it's sometimes to show how flawed it can be. That's not to say that it totally dogs church-y religion, just shows its fair share of flaws.
I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that the one plot theme I thought I saw coming, did in fact come. But I didn't mind because it was such a satisfying idea, that if it hadn't happened that way I would have put the book down.
The ending might have been my favorite part of the book. Once in a while, there's a last sentence that so perfectly ties up a book, that it just sings and resounds in my brain and sticks there forever. One book that had a last line like that was "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan. This was another. This last line pretty much sums up my entire existence. What a surpise to know that there are kindred spirits out there, people that think the way I do, and that one of them wrote a book about it.
I actually didn't want to like this book because I have a little bias against reading books that deal with religion. But a friend whose reading tastes I respect had reccomended it, so I gave it a go. It really deals with morality and spirituality, rather than religion, per se. When "church style religion" actually shows up in the book, it's sometimes to show how flawed it can be. That's not to say that it totally dogs church-y religion, just shows its fair share of flaws.
I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that the one plot theme I thought I saw coming, did in fact come. But I didn't mind because it was such a satisfying idea, that if it hadn't happened that way I would have put the book down.
The ending might have been my favorite part of the book. Once in a while, there's a last sentence that so perfectly ties up a book, that it just sings and resounds in my brain and sticks there forever. One book that had a last line like that was "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan. This was another. This last line pretty much sums up my entire existence. What a surpise to know that there are kindred spirits out there, people that think the way I do, and that one of them wrote a book about it.
May 2, 2012
I SO enjoyed Can I Get An Amen. It's wickedly funny, a little dark, and by the end I was unutterably moved. It's very cinematic, and seems destined to be adapted into a movie or TV show. Don't miss this fantastic debut...
July 13, 2012
I have just finished reading Can I Get An Amen? by Sarah Healy. I understand this is Healy's debut novel, and I loved it.
I don't want to say too much about it because I don't want to give away the story. But it is a wonderful story about family relationships and some seriously flawed characters. Kat's story is particularly poignant, and I could certainly sympathize with her. But I could also see her mother's side of the story because of her strong religious beliefs and her (Kat's mother's) previous history. Unfortunately, Kat's mother most definitely added to Kat's pain and suffering by the way in which she grossly mishandled Kat's situation.
This is not the kind of story I usually read, but I noticed the good reviews it has gotten, and the title of the book intrigued me. Also, the book has a wonderful cover.
I am looking forward to Healy's next novel, "God Save the Queen," which will be available in the summer of 2013. It might also be fun to have a sequel to "Can I Get an Amen?" Healy has introduced a lot of interesting characters; I would like to read about what happens to them next.
I don't want to say too much about it because I don't want to give away the story. But it is a wonderful story about family relationships and some seriously flawed characters. Kat's story is particularly poignant, and I could certainly sympathize with her. But I could also see her mother's side of the story because of her strong religious beliefs and her (Kat's mother's) previous history. Unfortunately, Kat's mother most definitely added to Kat's pain and suffering by the way in which she grossly mishandled Kat's situation.
This is not the kind of story I usually read, but I noticed the good reviews it has gotten, and the title of the book intrigued me. Also, the book has a wonderful cover.
I am looking forward to Healy's next novel, "God Save the Queen," which will be available in the summer of 2013. It might also be fun to have a sequel to "Can I Get an Amen?" Healy has introduced a lot of interesting characters; I would like to read about what happens to them next.
April 2, 2012
I won this book from a Goodreads Givaway and am so happy that I did.
Ellen Carlisle has had her share of crosses to bear. She is unable to have children, her husband has left her, she has lost her job and she finds herself living at home with her parents. Her mother, the daughter of a preacher, believes prayer is the answer to Ellen's problems, which only makes Ellen roll her eyes and shake her head. She finds herself spending her days shopping and her nights bar-hopping, hoping to find the answer to her mother's prayers in the bottom of a glass. One night she does, when she meets courageous, handsome Mark, but problems soon arise. Between going through a divorce, dealing with her over-zealous mother, problems her parents are facing and a new job that brings back old rivalries, Ellen is brought to a breaking point that she is sure prayer cannot fix.
"Can I Get An Amen?" is a funny, irreverent and original novel. While some dyed-in-wool Christians may find it hard to digest, the rest of us nod our heads and smile because we've all known people in our lives who are exactly like the characters in this book. Sarah Healy has done an excellent job with this debut novel of creating flawed but likable characters who we want to root for even when they have hit rock bottom. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to Ms. Healy's next novel.
Ellen Carlisle has had her share of crosses to bear. She is unable to have children, her husband has left her, she has lost her job and she finds herself living at home with her parents. Her mother, the daughter of a preacher, believes prayer is the answer to Ellen's problems, which only makes Ellen roll her eyes and shake her head. She finds herself spending her days shopping and her nights bar-hopping, hoping to find the answer to her mother's prayers in the bottom of a glass. One night she does, when she meets courageous, handsome Mark, but problems soon arise. Between going through a divorce, dealing with her over-zealous mother, problems her parents are facing and a new job that brings back old rivalries, Ellen is brought to a breaking point that she is sure prayer cannot fix.
"Can I Get An Amen?" is a funny, irreverent and original novel. While some dyed-in-wool Christians may find it hard to digest, the rest of us nod our heads and smile because we've all known people in our lives who are exactly like the characters in this book. Sarah Healy has done an excellent job with this debut novel of creating flawed but likable characters who we want to root for even when they have hit rock bottom. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to Ms. Healy's next novel.
September 7, 2012
Sarah Healy's first novel was difficult to put down. Ellen was endearing and although I didn't grow up in a born-again family, I could relate to some of her ways of coping. She's a mess at times and the novel plays out in unexpected directions. Really funny and at times, quite poignant.
Looking forward to Sarah Healy's next book!
Looking forward to Sarah Healy's next book!
April 19, 2024
4.5: Confession: I don't usually enjoy Christian fiction. Snobbishly, I think it's often preachy, narrow, and with too-perfect characters and actions. Gratefully this book was nothing like that! Characters cussed! Characters made bad decisions like we all make, they were broken and real. The author used lots of humor to tell this engaging story. Yes, a few storylines wrapped up pretty neatly, one big reveal was overly obvious and the Mom character was pretty one dimensional. But, overall, I greatly enjoyed my time spent in this story!
September 25, 2024
I liked that this book wasn’t a predictable as this genre usually is. It all felt plausible and I enjoyed most of the characters. The mother felt a little over exaggerated
May 3, 2013
This was better than I expected. I liked that even though Christianity and religion was woven through this, it wasn't preachy. I did find it predictable and in fact I lost half of my interest as soon as I guessed that the cool new love interest that the heroine ran into was going to turn out to be a preacher. I felt like there were a couple of missing scenes that should have been included at the end to make the whole thing more satisfying. For example such a big big deal had been made out of the fact that the heroine's mother was someone who used constant attendance at several churches as a crutch and that the heroine had no patience with her fanaticism I felt that this issue should have been discussed between the heroine and the hero. I also felt that the scene where the heroine apologizes to the hero for turning away from him when he admitted that he was a preacher was short changed. There needed to be a lot more discussion between someone who was so anti established religion and someone who led a church when they were considering marriage.
Still it was a fairly interesting read.
Still it was a fairly interesting read.
April 30, 2012
This book was incredibly compelling. I didn't expect to like it, but as it turned out, I couldn't put it down. It's a funny and frank look at family relationships and faith. The main character, Ellen, gets left by her husband and loses her job, so she has to move back home with her parents. She commences behaving in a very un-Christian way, and her mother harps on her mercilessly. It turns out there's a lot more going on in the Carlisle family than meets the eye. Not far into the book, Ellen meets Mark, and he, for the most part, is what kept me reading obsessively. There was something strange about Mark, and I couldn't stop until I knew what it was. Trust me, it was worth it.
November 16, 2012
Loved this book. This author has a straight-forward voice and writing style and her character development was awesome. The layers of complexity of the family and life issues that were presented kept my interest and the climax brought tears to my eyes.
It has been a long time since I sat engrossed in a book rather than doing the myriad other things I should have been doing. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
It has been a long time since I sat engrossed in a book rather than doing the myriad other things I should have been doing. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 4, 2012
When I'm reading a novel I really want to care about the characters and I want to feel the story is believable. The main character is Ellen who moves home after an unsuccessful marriage. Ellen is a modern woman in with her Christian fundamental parents. The plot thickens..I think the book was cleverly written with twists and turns I didn't predict. I hope this author continues with more novels with characters I want to spend my time with.
January 1, 2015
Sarah Healy was the first author I have read who represented an evangelical Christian home without obvious mockery. As a Christian, I have grown over the years in my own thinking about how I raised my children. If I could go back in time, I would do things differently. I loved that Ellen Carlisle was challenged, in this book, not to reject faith, but to seek her own--as I think we all are. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Healy's next one.
June 5, 2012
I loved this book. I didn't know exactly what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I think we can all relate to Ellen in one way or another. This book was very well written, descriptive and I felt like I was watching it on the big screen as I was reading it. I read it in 4 days and it would have been sooner if I didn't have 3 kids to take care of. Don't miss this one!!
July 2, 2012
This book really got my hopes up. All the tension and the crap this woman was going through kept building up and up, and just when it seems like things will turn out, they hastily throw another curve ball and wrap it up in 3 pages. All in all, very disappointing.
September 25, 2012
The literary equivalent of Cheetos.
February 29, 2024
I would give this a 2.5-3 stars. It was a quick read, for sure. I wouldn't say it was terrible, but I agree with others who said there was a lot of build-up for resolutions that didn't match. However, I do think the main character is someone that a lot of people can relate with in one way or another; whether it be a religious journey, relationship issues, or wanting to start a family. And if you can't relate with Ellen, there are plenty of other characters to draw a connection with. This would be a good book for weekend travel, poolside, or something similar. I did find the story line a little predicable, so if you're looking for a brainteaser or something "new" I might go another route. All-in-all, it's an entertaining and quick/simple read.
September 11, 2022
Let's be honest... I bought this book because of the bobble-head Jesus on the cover. It sat on my shelf for a while before I started reading, but I really did enjoy it. Don't want to go into too much detail lest I ruin the story... this is a book clergy of a particular ilk will appreciate, I think.
April 2, 2023
A fun and sad story about Ellen Carlisle and her family. After her divorce she moves back to her parent’s home in New Jersey. Her parents are born again Christians and her mother is always quoting scripture and urging Ellen to pray.
At time’s funny but also has some sad and serious moments, I enjoyed this book immensely.
At time’s funny but also has some sad and serious moments, I enjoyed this book immensely.
July 25, 2017
A refreshingly honest and modern story on faith, love, and family.
December 10, 2017
Just OK for me.
May 5, 2018
Great summer pool read! grabbed this from the library bldg 13 at the Valentin resort in Mexico
July 16, 2018
2.5
Extremely predictable. Kinda over the whole women need a man in their life to feel whole.
It also shows men in a horrible light, which im also over as well.
Extremely predictable. Kinda over the whole women need a man in their life to feel whole.
It also shows men in a horrible light, which im also over as well.
March 24, 2021
Witty, funny and emotional. I loved it!
January 6, 2022
This needs a sequel!
April 27, 2024
This was a nice story, easy read. This book is good reminder of the 2008ish financial crisis.
July 27, 2025
C’était une lecture assez facile, j’ai bien aimé. Je dirais confortable, parfois un peu prévisible. Seul point qui m’a cringe c’est « Africa » voilà, j’en dirais pas plus 🤷🏽♀️
September 30, 2016
I loved this book, not because I'm from New Jersey. The character of Mark, in some sense, is similar to me, except for the hippie/missionary parents.
June 27, 2012
Can I Get an Amen? Is a book that you shouldn’t judge by its cover or title. I’ll admit the cover makes me sing “plastic Jesus” to myself whenever I see it. The title made me a bit wary, but the description pulled me in. I’m glad it did as I really enjoyed this novel and found it to be a great family drama.
Ellen Carlisle grew up in a born again Christian family, but as an adult she threw off her Christianity. Her mother, a pastor’s daughter, believes very strongly in her faith. She is troubled that none of her three children embrace her faith and this causes many conflicts in their relationships.
The novel starts when Ellen’s husband, Gary, comes home one day and tells Ellen he wants a divorce. He “loves” Ellen, but as she is having problems getting pregnant and he wants children, he has decided it is time to move on. Ellen is understandably devastated and moves back home to New Jersey to live with her parents while trying to sort out her life. Once home, Ellen discovers that her parents have their own set of problems to deal with and that going to church is mandatory. She deals with life by bar hoping and meeting random guys. She also is thrown together with a nemesis from the past and meets a wonderful new guy. When Mark won’t let their relationship develop into something more, Ellen discovers that Mark has secrets of his own.
I really, really enjoyed this novel. I thought the characters were all very well written and relatable. The novel is not trying to force Christianity on anyone, but it talks about people who view Christianity as a major part of their live and the conflict it can cause when other people in their family do not view it in the same way. The novel was funny, touching, and kept me interested until the end. I guessed the major plot twist, but I still wanted to see how Ellen would deal with it.
One comment I liked was during an argument between Ellen’s sister Kat and their mother. Kat says, “All you care about is what people think. It’s all you’ve ever cared about.” I’ve used this expression during an argument in my past and it was very relevant to me.
Overall, Can I Get an Amen? Is a funny, relatable, and touching family dramedy that will keep you riveted until the end. If you would like a chance to read this novel, clink on this link and leave a comment on a great guest blog by Sarah Healy for a chance to win the novel.
I recieved a review copy of this book from Penguin Books. This review was first posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2012/...
Ellen Carlisle grew up in a born again Christian family, but as an adult she threw off her Christianity. Her mother, a pastor’s daughter, believes very strongly in her faith. She is troubled that none of her three children embrace her faith and this causes many conflicts in their relationships.
The novel starts when Ellen’s husband, Gary, comes home one day and tells Ellen he wants a divorce. He “loves” Ellen, but as she is having problems getting pregnant and he wants children, he has decided it is time to move on. Ellen is understandably devastated and moves back home to New Jersey to live with her parents while trying to sort out her life. Once home, Ellen discovers that her parents have their own set of problems to deal with and that going to church is mandatory. She deals with life by bar hoping and meeting random guys. She also is thrown together with a nemesis from the past and meets a wonderful new guy. When Mark won’t let their relationship develop into something more, Ellen discovers that Mark has secrets of his own.
I really, really enjoyed this novel. I thought the characters were all very well written and relatable. The novel is not trying to force Christianity on anyone, but it talks about people who view Christianity as a major part of their live and the conflict it can cause when other people in their family do not view it in the same way. The novel was funny, touching, and kept me interested until the end. I guessed the major plot twist, but I still wanted to see how Ellen would deal with it.
One comment I liked was during an argument between Ellen’s sister Kat and their mother. Kat says, “All you care about is what people think. It’s all you’ve ever cared about.” I’ve used this expression during an argument in my past and it was very relevant to me.
Overall, Can I Get an Amen? Is a funny, relatable, and touching family dramedy that will keep you riveted until the end. If you would like a chance to read this novel, clink on this link and leave a comment on a great guest blog by Sarah Healy for a chance to win the novel.
I recieved a review copy of this book from Penguin Books. This review was first posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2012/...
December 14, 2013
I first saw this book in Barnes & Noble and was reluctant to purchase it. Then I ran across the book again on Amazon's website and decided to give it a try. I was hooked from the first couple of pages. This book has got to be one of the few best reads I've had in a long time. Every time I picked up this book it felt like I was being taken on a refreshing journey; a quick escape into Ellen's life as she constantly searched for her identity of self and spirituality. I love the way Sarah Healy opens up with Ellen's husband asking, no declaring, a divorce. His reason, fertility issues. However, all throughout the book I wondered was there more to his motive of wanting a divorce than that. Ellen left the life she'd thought would be her "ever-after" hurt and feeling like a failure to him, her family and herself. Life had defeated her as she moved back home with her parents where she found herself in a load of even more problems with her sister, Kat, and their parents' dilemma. The story had great movement and spacing and I really enjoyed the family interaction throughout each scene, especially the Christmas gathering with her boss and his wife where everything was beginning to unfold.
Sarah did an excellent job keeping me in suspense at the right moment. This drew me into each character's life, wanting to know more, as I was allowed the chance to walk in each of their shoes and see life from their perspective. Each scene was fleshed out with visual details and descriptive imagery that allowed me to use my senses to experience each scene unfolding into either chaos, triumph or tragedy. I loved Mark and often thought of him as Ellen's angel in disguise, always there when she needed him--good to her, and good for her.
I would definitely recommend this book. It was a great read, a definite page-turner, a must have in anyone's library collection!!
Sarah did an excellent job keeping me in suspense at the right moment. This drew me into each character's life, wanting to know more, as I was allowed the chance to walk in each of their shoes and see life from their perspective. Each scene was fleshed out with visual details and descriptive imagery that allowed me to use my senses to experience each scene unfolding into either chaos, triumph or tragedy. I loved Mark and often thought of him as Ellen's angel in disguise, always there when she needed him--good to her, and good for her.
I would definitely recommend this book. It was a great read, a definite page-turner, a must have in anyone's library collection!!
September 3, 2012
Faith? This is something that has been missing from Ellen Carlisle’s life ever since she got divorced. She knows it is not her fault yet her husband reminds her it is because of her infertility. Going home to her parents was also not part of her plan but when God puts obstacles in your way you have a home to go too. Even though she is close to her parents there are still secrets in the family and trouble she never expected. Her life has always been to keep faith and hope in God yet lately she is having a hard time to keep that mantra. Everybody in her family expect her to follow God’s path but lately she has been upset with God. All her friends are having children yet somehow God missed her in the motherhood department. She is trying to be thankful but wonders exactly is she supposed to be thankful for.
This is a first I have read from Sarah Healy for she has started her writing career with a book that speaks in so many ways to her readers. Throughout the book I kept wondering is the author telling her story is it Ellen herself who is coming alive in the book. There are times when the story is first point of view and then third party sometimes making me wonder who exactly is Ellen Carlisle. Here is a woman who feels like she got the short stick in life but actually we are seeing her bloom with God’s love. The moral of the story is basically to never give up on God yet we also see what happens when we lose our path in the life of Ellen. For me it was that with faith anything is possible and for Ellen this is hard for her to understand. My heart broke when she can’t have children yet rejoiced in knowing that she has family who love her no matter the situation they face themselves and a man who wants to give her all the love she deserves. This is definitely a book worth getting for with God anything is possible and Sarah Healy shows us so easily in this book.
Posted by Meli on Romancing the Book. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
This is a first I have read from Sarah Healy for she has started her writing career with a book that speaks in so many ways to her readers. Throughout the book I kept wondering is the author telling her story is it Ellen herself who is coming alive in the book. There are times when the story is first point of view and then third party sometimes making me wonder who exactly is Ellen Carlisle. Here is a woman who feels like she got the short stick in life but actually we are seeing her bloom with God’s love. The moral of the story is basically to never give up on God yet we also see what happens when we lose our path in the life of Ellen. For me it was that with faith anything is possible and for Ellen this is hard for her to understand. My heart broke when she can’t have children yet rejoiced in knowing that she has family who love her no matter the situation they face themselves and a man who wants to give her all the love she deserves. This is definitely a book worth getting for with God anything is possible and Sarah Healy shows us so easily in this book.
Posted by Meli on Romancing the Book. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
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