Jim and Louella's Homemade Heart-fix Remedy: A Novel

by Bertice Berry

A sizzling, smart, and utterly engaging novel about sex, love, folklore, and family history from the author of Redemption Song and The Haunting of Hip Hop .

With her characteristic sense of humor and a good dose of motherly wit, Bertice Berry spins the endearing tale of Jim and Louella Johnson, an elderly couple in a southern town who have settled into a marriage that has long lost its pizzazz. Louella, fed up with her lackluster love life, decides to contact her departed ancestors for some advice. Conjuring up her mother, grandmother, and aunt in a dream, she receives a delightful lesson in the art of reigniting the fires of love.
Even more startling, the Johnsons discover they can help others rejuvenate their passions, heal their hearts, and mend their souls

Written in language that is folksy yet eloquent, Jim and Louella's Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy is an uplifting and flat-out funny celebration of the connections between past and present, the importance of family, and the pleasures of the body and the heart.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Relationships

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Nicole Sharon]

I read (listened to) an awesome book at work tonight. Initially I thought this would be a funny book. I wanted to read something light. While it was funny. There is so much wisdom infiltrated within the scenes and discussions in this book. It's amazing how you can read something for entertainment and come away with a nice large pot of Mother-wit. I encourage you to read this book. It's gives a lot to think about.
I was talking back to it, out loud!

Yes there's sex scenes in the book, but there's so much more to it than that. So much substance. I love these types of books!

[Nikki Myers]

Loved it! Not as much as my favorite book Redemption Song, but it was wisdom packed. A few of my favorite quotes are: Love is about what we can do for each other and what each other can do for the kingdom of God. Cheating ain't usually about how good someone else looks to you. It's about how bad you think you look to yourself. When you love you, you can see real love coming. When you go through it, you get the lesson you need.

[Brown Girl Reading]

This was a satisfactory read at best. Unfortunately I wanted to love it more than I did. In my opinion this was nothing more than a rip off of J. California Cooper's style of writing with sex sprinkled in for spice. Written in dialect and often a bit repetitive, I read it quickly during the Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon on Saturday (April 23, 2016). I'd recommend J. California Cooper instead.

[Ann Marie]

As with all of Bertice Berry's books, I took notes. This book was jam packed with wisdom. It is amazing how much truth is in this book, just be still......

[Donna’s Book Addiction]

Berry has written another thought provoking and entertaining novel. She takes a story about ordinary people and teaches us a lesson on love and the power of the heart. It has rich characters,such as the librarian, the heavy girl, the crossing guard and the bookstore owners (real people). The novel is written in a folksy style with folksy wisdom. I enjoyed the connection between Louella and the spirit of her mother, aunt and grandmother.

At points the story turned to sexually explicit scenes. But the book, for all its sexual content, isn't really about sex, but about how cultivating a spiritual life improves not only sexual experience and love, but all aspects of human existence. The writing of Berry is reminiscent of authors J. California Cooper and Tina Ansa McElroy and a welcomed shift from the urban literature and drama filled fiction.

The story tends to drag towards the end and yet, Berry delivers a powerful message at the end.

[Che]

I enjoyed this book. I did not enjoy her tangents. She begins to start a topic and then branches off into a different subject and then from there branches off again and then maybe two or three times afterwards. By the time you get to the end of the chapter you forgot what her original point is. Now although that's how we normally talk, it it's very, very distracting in the book. I'm finding that often my mind is wandering and I end up closing the book and thinking -- which is a good thing -- but by the time I get back to the book, I forgot where she left off. That is a little distracting, but not discouraging. The tangents brought this down from a 4 star book to 3.5. (Since we don't have 1/2 star ratings, here, I'll settle on 3 stars.)

This is a quick read and I'd encourage you to pick it up when it crosses your path. Great nuggets of wisdom sprinkled in each chapter. Definitely worth the read.

[Annette Olsen]

I have never read anything like this. The story is unusual to say the least. When the book started out I thought it was going to be a light hearted and slightly scandalous read. It was definitely entertaining. But as the book went along I started finding unexpected depth. It made me take another look at the relationships in my life and do some reevaluating, especially with my husband.

If you are looking for a book that is serious and logical then this probably isn't the book for you. If you want a story that's believable and subtle then this still isn't the book for you. But if you are looking for an unpredictable, heartfelt, and very adult book that will make you smile and probably make you think, then this is the book you're looking for. I enjoyed it very much.

[Marvin]

Basically an inspirational personal advice book disguised as a novel, written in extremely informal African American dialect that would be condemned as racist if written by a white author. Yet it was surprisingly enjoyable despite all that.

[Susan]

I think this is my favorite Bertice Berry book. An older couple take an earthy look at re-kindling their flame. Rich narrative, warm characters -- a great read.

[Darnelle Street]

I don't know any man or woman who is too young or too old to feel good, and this novel will make you smile and feel good on almost every page.

[Shakira]

Loved it!

[Suzette Harrison]

My oh my oh my! Whoever said sex, love, and intimacy fizzles with age needs a taste of Jim & Louella!

[Kim]

This book was extremely delightful! The truth in these words floored me! I LOVE this book!

[Rachel]

This book was great about love and faith. You will fall in love with the two main characters how they rediscover themselves and along the way help others. A quick easy read!!!

[Brinlie Jill]

A very Christian book. This book had major religious overtones that made me very surprised the author is a sociologist or a PhD. It was cute and heart warming, a little bit mystical but it wasn’t well written and then ending was complete crap. She was the one the whole time? Everyone saying to self sacrifice and it’ll all turn out great because of god? I liked the emphasis on family and I’m sure it seemed progressive to write about god and sex but it was all Rather slopped together. Not to mention the themes of meritocracy.

[K2]

This is a GoodRead!
The first chapter of this read is the last short story from Best Black Women Erotica. I think it might have been the best story in the book, they say save the best for last. This read was on my to read list because I read another book by Berry, but I probably would have never gotten to it. So glad I did, it’s a wonderful read.

[Kristy]

I love this book! It made me laugh out loud. It also had tender and wise moments. Jim and Luella are the dearest characters and you instantly wish they were your own grandparents. Ms. Berry expertly captures the specific tone and voice of the people in this family/community. She is a truly talented writer.

[Roz Beckford]

This book was so uncomfortable to read at first like I was reading my grandparents secrets. I had to stop and skip ahead to see if the awkwardness would pass. It definitely did and the story flowed beautifully.

[Ms.Dee]

A good book, a lot of wise old quotes!

[Belita Houser]

Loved this book.
Life lessons
Heartwarming
Funny

[Catherine Ross]

When I started to read this book, I was laughing so hard I had to put the book down finish laughing and start reading again. It is funny but has an awesome message.

[Jewell]

Spiritually uplifting and funny…

[Sapphire]

this was incredible, taught me a lot honestly and i left feeling so joyful and full of hope..

[Michelle Leonard]

This book took me by surprise in a great way. As Jim and Louella work on reviving their sex life they find themselves with the ability to hear the inner thoughts and are able to help them heal. The story delves into the bigger issue of the state of black families in an interesting way as well. Some of the other-worldly concepts challenged me but it didn't keep me from enjoying the book as much is it caused me to question certain ideas. It also offered some laugh-out-loud moments.

[Karin *]

I know I tried to read this book, but I can't remember if I finished it. Clearly, it didn't make much of an impression. And I really wanted to like this book.

[Marie]

Older black couple revitalizes their love live with advice of their ancestors, then discover they have special curative powers to fix broken hearts.

[Deanie]

I loved this story...especially because Jim and Louella were seasoned lovers. Most novels indicate that only twenty-somethings can have it going on. LOL!

[SocialButterfly]

weird but funny

[Memphis]

Loved it. Very sweet story.